The Hanoitimes - ASEAN must actively respond to its members’ calls on the South China Sea issues. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has not played a significant role in diffusing the heated quarrel among disputants in the South China Sea (SCS), far below what is expected from this group when dealing with a major regional security concern. Illustrative photo But in reality, regional experts argue that ASEAN has interests, responsibilities, and the ability to actively engage in the issue and contribute to the settlement of the disputes, experts said at “The 5th Ocean Dialogue: ASEAN Cooperation in the South China Sea” held on June 18 in Hanoi. ASEAN’s involvement in the South China Sea disputes ASEAN didn’t involve in the SCS, which is called the East Sea in Vietnam, until the end of the Cold War as it was not an immediate security concern of its members. No interest in antagonizing Beijing, ASEAN … [Read more...] about What is ASEAN’s role in settling South China Sea disputes?
East china sea dispute
Vietnam cheers G7 for backing ASEAN on South China Sea dispute
By Vu Hoang  June 10, 2018 | 03:42 pm GMT+7 Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the G7 Summit that takes place on June 8-9 in Canada. Photo by Vietnam News Agency Goal of keeping a clean marine environment only possible when cooperation is preserved, Vietnam PM tells summit. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has lauded G7 members for supporting the stance of ASEAN countries on disputes in the South China Sea, commonly known as the East Sea in Vietnam. ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has said it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and called for peaceful settlement of disputes in the waters on the basis of respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). ASEAN countries also want concerned parties to respect diplomatic and legal processes that promote peace, stability and cooperation in the … [Read more...] about Vietnam cheers G7 for backing ASEAN on South China Sea dispute
G7 backs ASEAN on South China Sea dispute, Vietnam cheers
By Vu Hoang  June 10, 2018 | 03:42 pm GMT+7 Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the G7 Summit that takes place on June 8-9 in Canada. Photo by Vietnam News Agency Goal of keeping a clean marine environment only possible when cooperation is preserved, Vietnam PM tells summit. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has lauded G7 members for supporting the stance of ASEAN countries on disputes in the South China Sea, commonly known as the East Sea in Vietnam. ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has said it is necessary to strengthen cooperation in ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and called for peaceful settlement of disputes in the waters on the basis of respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). ASEAN countries also want concerned parties to respect diplomatic and legal processes that promote peace, stability and cooperation in the … [Read more...] about G7 backs ASEAN on South China Sea dispute, Vietnam cheers
Beijing’s South China Sea bombers fly in the face of protests
China's brazen landing of nuclear-capable bombers on an island in the disputed South China Sea is a bold power play to bolster its territorial claims while rivals are divided and the U.S. distracted by North Korea, analysts say. China attracted diplomatic protests after long-range H-6K bombers carried out landing and takeoff drills at an unidentified island airstrip on Friday. But Beijing has long brushed aside such condemnation, denying that it was militarizing the region even though it has installed an array of airstrips, radar systems and naval facilities on a string of islands it has reclaimed in contested areas since 2013. The planes are believed to have landed on Woody Island, China's largest base in the Paracel Islands which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, according to Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. An H-6K long-range strategic bomber deployed to Woody Island could reach almost the entire South China Sea … [Read more...] about Beijing’s South China Sea bombers fly in the face of protests
Philippine defense chief says China sea dispute still a challenge
The territorial dispute with Beijing over the East Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, remained a security challenge despite an improvement in bilateral ties, the Philippine defense chief said on Monday as he accepted three maritime surveillance planes from Japan. Delfin Lorenzana, in a speech at a naval base south of the capital Manila, said the three Japanese donated second-hand TC90 planes will definitely boost the navy’s capability to gather intelligence in the disputed sea. “We must admit that much still has to be done to boost our military capability equipment in order to meet a number of persistent maritime security challenges,” Lorenzana said, identifying territorial disputes with China, and other countries, over resource-rich areas in the disputed waters. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, where about $5 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have … [Read more...] about Philippine defense chief says China sea dispute still a challenge